Kasmaal  Independent Somali news and analysis website .

The defections of two fighters, an American and a U.S. resident, from Somalia’s Islamic extremist rebels highlight tensions within al-Shabab over whether it should remain affiliated to al-Qaida or switch allegiance to the Islamic State group, according to an al-Shabab commander. Foreign fighters are being alienated and feel trapped in Somalia over suspicions that they […]

  A young man who came to Minnesota as a “refugee” from Somalia has been linked to Syed Farook, the shooter who, along with his jihadist wife, killed 14 Americans in San Bernardino less than a week ago. Fox News contributor Rod Wheeler provided a key piece of information about the case, linking the San […]

Benjamin J. Rhodes, the White House deputy national security adviser, said the attacks in Paris demonstrated that the Islamic State was increasingly focused on attacks outside Syria. Credit Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images PARIS — The White House announced changes Monday to the government’s visa-waiver program to try to stop those who have visited […]

23 November 2015 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Michael Keating of the United Kingdom as his new Special Representative for Somalia and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). Mr. Keating will succeed Nicholas Kay of the United Kingdom who will complete his assignment at the end of […]

The fastest growing city in the world is Batam in Indonesia … or Niamey in Niger … or maybe Xiamen in China. It all depends on who you ask. Batam is the fastest-growing city in the world by population, according to US-based consultancy Demographia, which bases its annual Demographia World Urban Areas ranking largely on […]

Veteran Somali Journalist Ahmed Hassan Cawke has passed away last night in Jig-Jiga, the capital of Somali regional state in Ethiopia. His sister Canab Hassan Cawke has confirmed the death of her brother to the media. Several Somali leaders across various political spectrums have sent their condolences to the family and friends of the late […]

Economists from Swedish bank Nordea have suggested that the nation’s economy will grow by 0.5 percent as Sweden continues to take in record numbers of refugees fleeing conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. Five myths about Sweden’s refugee crisis (13 Nov 15) Police stop dozens at Swedish border checks (13 Nov 15) Is Sweden […]

President Ahmed Mohamed Islam pointed out that as far as he was concerned, there was no illegal trade of charcoal from Somalia/MIKE KARIUKI advertisements The leader of the semi-autonomous Jubaland region of Somalia has refuted claims of charcoal and sugar smuggling through the port of Kismayu, and stated that Kenyan soldiers have been unfairly accused […]

Rival factions of al-Shabab militants clashed Wednesday in Somalia, in the latest sign of a split over whether to align with al-Qaida or the Islamic State. The clash occurred when a group of al-Shabab fighters attacked the hideout of a pro-Islamic State faction, according to residents. Nine fighters from both sides were killed and eight wounded in the fighting near Saakow in […]